ABOUT THE CHAMBER .:. COMMITTEES
Over 60 years of success comes from the involvement of our members in the Chamber and the community. Committees give members the opportunity to share their expertise, talents and passion.
Business Promotions
This Committee creates new opportunities for members to promote and advertise their businesses to each other and the larger community. They also oversee the annual Small Business Awards Luncheon.
Chairman:
Meg Glasgow, Finer Frames
Chamber Ambassadors
The Chamber’s hospitality group, these members greet at Chamber functions, welcome new businesses at official openings, and assist new members to become familiar with and involved in the Chamber.
Co-Chairs:
Bruce Altig, BizPrint
Elizabeth Stoneman, Bank of the Cascades
The Membership/Ambassador
Committee met on July
27th to select new members
for whom they wanted to act as
a Buddy. They discussed the
current membership recruitment
program, and the addition
of a business card-sized piece
they could all use when recruiting.
The Committees reviewed
the upcoming schedule for
August, and learned about two
new September events.
Economic Development
This Committee works on business recruitment and retention, and growth issues. They work closely with the City of Meridian Economic Excellence Team, and the Boise Valley Economic Partnership, our regional economic development organization.
Chairman:
Rob O'Donahue, Northwest Nazarene University
ED Committee met on July 1, 2010, at the Bank of the Cascades and presided by Rob O’Donahue, Chair. Guest speaker for the Committee was Brenda Sherwood, Economic Development Administrator, City of Meridian. Brenda gave a general review of her presentation to the City Council about her plans for the City’s path forward for economic development. She has completed her research and developed her databases for businesses about the area’s statistics and resources. Her four major focus areas now are to work on Meridian’s business retention and expansion, business attraction, building business corridors and workforce development. She is developing a website for businesses to access which will have a ‘dashboard of services.’
Government Affairs
Our primary advocacy group, this Committee studies government proposals at the local and state level that affect businesses and advocate for those which contribute to a healthy business climate. Below is a link to the Idaho Chamber Alliance, a statewide organization that lobbies the Legislature on issues common to the state’s businesses.
Co-Chairs:
Cameron Arial, Zions Bank
Marilyn Whitney, Idaho National Laboratory
The Government Affairs
Committee met on July 13th
to discuss topics related to the
current election cycle. The
survey taken on the low turnout
for our pre-Primary candidate
receptions showed that members
would prefer to have
candidate forums at lunchtime
for Primary candidates, rather
than an evening reception. The
Committee reviewed the list of
candidates for General Election
and selected the races for
which candidate forums will be
held. (See article page for
more information.) The Committee
also sent a recommendation
to the Board that new
rules be adopted to limit participating
candidates to those
that are running active campaigns,
based on rules used by
the League of Women Voters. A
list of upcoming Legislative
meetings was discussed as well
as the status of changes within
the Idaho Chamber Alliance.
Speakers at the August 10th
meeting will be Rep. Hagedorn
and Sen. Winder from the
Legislative Business Caucus.
Links
Idaho Chamber Alliance
Marketing
This Committee works on projects to promote the Chamber, its programs and events.
Co-Chairs:
Carol Rawlings, Creative Balloons
Deneen Wilson, Zions Bank
Membership
This Committee assists with member recruitment and retention programs, and help new members to become familiar with and involved in the Chamber.
Co-Chairs:
Jorene Batali, Independent Consultant, Scentsy Inc
DeAnna Ruehl, Washington Trust Bank
The Membership/Ambassador
Committee met on July
27th to select new members
for whom they wanted to act as
a Buddy. They discussed the
current membership recruitment
program, and the addition
of a business card-sized piece
they could all use when recruiting.
The Committees reviewed
the upcoming schedule for
August, and learned about two
new September events.
Transportation Committee
This Committee reviews transportation needs and projects and advocates with local and state government.
Co-Chairs:
Bob Bruce, Stanley Consultants
Steve Sedlacek, SSC
Transportation Committee met on May 14, 2010, at Meridian City Hall and presided by Steve Sedlacek. Guest speaker for the Committee was Dave Jones, District III Engineer for ITD. Dave gave updates on the road construction projects currently planned for the summer season. Other information shared with the Committee included significant crash clusters in Meridian and non-interstate crash cluster sites. Some discussion on funding road projects through GARVEE and State funds was briefly reviewed and how environmental studies impact the timelines of these same projects.
Volunteer Committee
This Committee matches Chamber member with volunteer opportunities at Chamber events.
Chairman:
Donna Foster, Sterling Savings Bank
Volunteering for this or any Chamber committee is an opportunity for a member to show their commitment and desire to be an integral part of the Meridian community. The Volunteer Committee is comprised of members that want to give their time in support of events that enrich the lives of both the business and consumer community in Meridian, and have fun at the same time!
Jorene Batali
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